Baki Prairie, headquarters of the Golden League army.
Garon and the Red Dragon rested temporarily in an open space, surrounded by a group of human powerhouses with notable presence.
Not only spellcasters but also tall and burly extraordinary warriors.
"Ladies and gentlemen, these two are the powerful true dragons assisting the Golden League army, the Eternal Dragon, Lord Garon, and his follower, Ash Wing, Lord Roel," Matthew said with a calm smile as he introduced Garon and Roel to the people around him.
Then, he turned to Garon and Roel to introduce the human powerhouses one by one.
"Lord Garon, Lord Roel, this is the general of the Golden League army, Kovardel, whose strength is no less than that of a mature true dragon."
The general, clad in heavy armor, nodded slightly, his expression obscured by his full helmet.
"This is the leading army mage, a ninth-circle high-ranking archmage, Lady Aseya, who specializes in illusion spells."
Garon's gaze shifted slightly as he looked at the only ninth-circle archmage.
Aseya was a woman, young in appearance, with fair skin and a voluptuous figure, her brown wavy hair adding to her ethereal aura.
Whether her age matched her youthful appearance was uncertain.
High-ranking spellcasters could maintain a youthful facade even as they approached the end of their lifespan, if they so desired.
"The person introduced by Matthew, even the weakest, was a seventh-circle high-ranking spellcaster."
Nearly twenty high-ranking combatants gathered together, forming a formidable force.
"The capital of the Dimo Kingdom lies just behind us, crossing their last line of defense will signal the end of this year-long war."
"For this, different nations and races have come together, no matter the reason for joining the war, I hope everyone can unite and swiftly conclude this conflict," Aseya said as she looked around.
Then, her eyes twinkling, she smiled at Garon and Roel: "As for you two true dragons, it's remarkable that you're willing to assist the Golden League army. You only need to display your dragon might and your presence."
"Of course, if you are willing to engage directly, we will offer more rewards."
Her words mirrored what Matthew had said when inviting Garon.
Garon and Roel simply nodded without responding.
After Aseya finished speaking, General Kovardel stepped forward and declared solemnly, "After consultation, we've decided to launch a full assault in three days."
"Please prepare yourselves mentally and conserve your strength for the upcoming battle."
"The Dimo Kingdom's remaining forces are scant, but they are dangerous like cornered beasts."
"I personally hope that everyone present can survive the end of the war."
Moments later, the assembled high-ranking combatants dispersed to rest.
Garon looked up at the slightly darkening sky and after a moment of contemplation, said to Roel, "You stay here; I'll fly up and scout."
Roel blinked in surprise, then nodded. His massive fiery body curled up on the ground to take a brief nap.
Whoosh! Garon's wings stirred the air as he shot into the sky, vanishing into the vast night.
A dense cloud formed around Garon, enveloping him and blending into the night sky, concealing any dragon aura.
Quickly, Garon surveyed from above and spotted a long stretch of towering black walls made of ironstone, hundreds of miles long.
Ironstone was named for its metal-like hardness and some resistance to magical damage, making it an excellent material.
The Ironstone Defense Line was the last barrier between the Dimo Kingdom's capital and the Golden League army, heavily fortified with the kingdom's remaining troops.
Built 800 years ago when the Dimo Kingdom was still mighty, the wall was embedded with indestructible rune arrays in key areas. It would be difficult for the current Dimo Kingdom to construct such defenses again.
"The full assault in three days will be a siege."
"Although the Golden League army is strong, it will undoubtedly pay a price to break through here," Garon mused as he hovered above the Ironstone Defense Line.
The wall was equipped with menacing heavy crossbows, with large warriors and occasional spellcasters patrolling.
"If that's all, the Golden League army is assured victory," Garon observed, shaking his head while making his assessment.
If nothing unusual happened, this war would indeed be simple to conclude.
No wonder Roel was so keen on war profits. Garon was beginning to understand Roel's behavior.
"Hmm?"
Garon sensed several faint dragon auras.
His gaze sharpened as he looked towards the deep, dark forest behind the Ironstone Defense Line.
True dragons could easily detect each other's dragon aura unless concealed.
"Roel was right; the Dimo Kingdom indeed enlisted other true dragons for help."
He detected three dragon auras.
Their specific types were unclear, but they
were likely among the chromatic dragons.
Metal and gem dragons generally kept their distance from human conflicts and rarely got involved.
Considering the current situation, when the Golden League army clashed with the Ironstone defenders in two days, the dragons on both sides might actually engage each other, pretending to be enemies.
With this thought, Garon couldn't help but chuckle.
He didn't linger and turned to fly back to the Golden League's camp.
But before he could reach his destination, a golden dragon, over twenty meters long, appeared in Garon's view.
"A gold dragon?"
"No, not a true dragon. It lacks any dragon aura; it's merely a facade."
Garon was initially startled, then quickly identified the strange 'gold dragon's' true nature.
Although it was his first encounter, Garon recognized the familiar scent.
The scent of humans.
"Lord Garon, it seems you were skeptical of my words."
"Having now seen the Ironstone Defense Line yourself, how do you feel?" the gold dragon spoke in the common tongue.
Matthew's voice reached Garon's ears.
This eighth-circle transformation specialist mage possessed a spell to turn into a gold dragon. Although he couldn't become a real gold dragon, the transformed appearance and size were certainly not weak.
"If there are no unforeseen circumstances, the Golden League army will break through the Ironstone Defense Line in a few days," Garon assessed candidly.
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